The Australian player with the closest links to the subcontinent
is certain his hard-won positive image in India will not be
adversely affected by the furore of the past week.

Brett Lee will tread a tight line under besieged captain Ricky
Ponting when the third Test begins on Wednesday. It will be the
first time the tearaway quick has led the Australian attack on the
traditionally fast and bouncy WACA strip. His job is to strike fear
into his opponents. But, given the inevitable extra scrutiny all
the players will be under in this Test, Lee realises he will have
to be doubly careful about the way he goes about his task.

Not that his track record suggests he would attract censure. Lee
is hugely popular in India, not only because he can bowl at 150
kilometres per hour, but because he has spent significant time in
that country and built healthy relationships. He has sponsorships
with Indian companies, released a hit song there, has had movie
offers and even learnt some Hindi. Last week he was involved in the
filming of a Bollywood movie, a direction he is considering
pursuing further when his cricket career ends.

Lee told The Sun-Herald he was certain that, despite the
anger directed at some Australian players after the controversial
Sydney Test match, his image would not be tarnished. "Definitely
not," he said. "The respect I have for their players and the love I
have for their country means that it's definitely not going to have
an impact on us going over there and touring, whether it's to play
cricket or to do work with sponsors or whatever.

"The drama is not between the players. There's issues, for sure.
But, when you're playing at the top level there are always going to
be things that pop up. As far as the feeling between most of the
players, there is no issue.

"For me, I'm treated so well over there and I'm very thankful
for that. I don't think anything will change. I try to do
everything in my power to keep a good relationship with people in
India. It's a great place and I've always thought that we should be
encouraging every Australian, at one stage in their life if they
can, to go to India. I can't praise the place enough.

"I truly think that the Indian public respect what we do and
they enjoy the style of cricket we play."

Lee's manager, Neil Maxwell, wrote in yesterday's The Sydney
Morning Herald that Lee was in a difficult predicament, given
his role as an enforcer in what has become a very delicate
environment. However, Maxwell - who has played an integral role in
setting up the new Indian Premier League Twenty-20 competition,
wrote that his client would benefit from the fact that he had shown
interest in India over several years.

"He knows now more than ever how carefully he has to tread the
line between doing his job in the way he was brought up to do it
and the way his opponents and their fans will perceive it," Maxwell
wrote.

"However, Brett has something on his side - he has a growing
understanding of Indian culture. He has spent time there, built
relationships, learnt some of the language and embraced the
culture. Indians respect him for his cricket talents, but also his
cultural sensitivity."

Lee has made the most of the doors opened in India by his
cricketing exploits. Some observers have wondered whether he was
spending too much energy on pursuits other than cricket. However,
the 31-year-old husband and father claims the opposite.

"Life gets a bit hectic sometimes, playing for Australia," Lee
said.

"It's not just about playing cricket any more. It's the whole
corporate world, sponsorship, lots of commitments. But I enjoy
doing the ads, going out and meeting children, signing autographs.
I enjoy these one-off things, like the Bollywood movie we're
working on now. It's different and exciting.

"I always make sure that the most important thing is my cricket,
performing at the top level. I wouldn't be able to do that if the
other things were a distraction. I actually feel that the things I
do away from cricket energise me. I look at it as being a
complementary thing, a string to my bow. I see it as part of
getting away from cricket. I'm not the type of guy to sit in front
of the TV for hours and veg. I love keeping busy."

Lee is in good form and has taken 13 wickets at an average of
18.6 in the first two Tests of the series. This week will mark a
notable point in his career, leading the attack in place of Glenn
McGrath at the traditional paradise of fast bowlers in Perth.

"It has the signs of being a fast and bouncy wicket," he
said.

"The reports are it's getting back to what it used to be. I'm
hoping that it has a bit in it because it's the only chance we
really have to play on a fast pitch in Australia nowadays. No one
wants to see a Test end in four days. But with the number of great
batsmen around these days, something has to go in the bowlers'
favour.

"Every bowler enjoys Perth. On the downside, sometimes you can
be tempted to bowl too short. That's something we've got to be
conscious of. But I am licking my lips at the prospect of bowling
there.

"To lead the Australian attack is great, especially there. I
think I'm bowling better now than ever because I'm a bit more
patient. So I won't be doing anything different in this Test. It's
just going to be great to take the first over."

1199988645728-smh.com.auhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/lee-keen-to-keep-the-love-affair-going/2008/01/12/1199988645728.htmlsmh.com.auSydney Morning Herald2008-01-13Lee keen to keep the love affair goingDavid SygallThe Australian spearhead with an affinity for the subcontinent is
keen to shore strained relations - so expect an especially sporting
performance this week in Perth, writes David Sygall.SportCrickethttp://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/01/12/brettlee_narrowweb__300x370,0.jpg

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